Lunch Break (D2 MA)

[Soshi Kioku]

The melancholy look that seems to always lingers behind her eyes subsides a bit with his comment. "Thanks for your words, Kaiu-sama. It's been the work of a number of scientists, really, but I'm happy for the chance to play a role in it now."

Dusk approaches the man's head slowly, at the same time curious and hesitant. Dawn pokes his head out from his curl and observes.

"Their behaviour... well, some of it is selective breeding for calmer, more human-friendly animals. That's gone a long way with other animals, after all. Then a fair bit of training, too" She lets out a quiet chuckle. "Not so unlike us, I suppose. Much as some might like that, we aren't born with the Tao or the right moral virtues ingrained in us, ne?" She pats Dawn's small head, maybe also making sure she'll behave this time. "Of course instincts aren't that easy to breed out, so there's always more work to do. And we want to make sure they're still themselves, too."

[Kaiu Setsu]

“The wolf and the akita both have sharp teeth, long ears and a thick coat, but only one them will kill you to satisfy its hunger.” He recites the old warrior phrase while getting more confidence with the approaching beast.

Setsu grins and looks to the Scorpion, “You can’t really take away their claws and fangs because they might hurt others. That’s a lame excuse. I agree with Soshi-san, can’t really fake away what makes them, them.”

[Soshi Kioku]

She nods, a somewhat happier smile on her lips. "Exactly! Although the limits may not be so clear. Is a wolf tame enough that it won't hunt until told to still a wolf?"

She shrugs. "Maybe it is. I'd have to think on it."

Her eyes go to the horizon, and it almost looks as if she's not fully there again. "I suppose you can't fully forget what you once were. Maybe change, maybe overcome it.. but forget it?"

She shakes her head slowly, her lips pursing and unpursing. After a long while, she looks at him again.

"Kaiu-san mentioned your mother", she says. A small smile. "A strong woman indeed, she must've been." The wistful look soon comes back. "I wonder... what does that say of mothers who failed to..."

She trails off, breathes deeply, as if trying to control something inside.

"... is a mother always a mother?", she asks with a laboured smile, not quite completing her thought.

[Kaiu Setsu]

“I have never seen an ex-mother in my entire life. Honest word. I mean, one can’t undo a birth.” He looks at the horizon to check what got her attention there.

“About changing, I guess that it is part of life. Hopefully the change is always for one’s self improvement as well as others. Specially for our friends, families, Clan and Empire…” there’s a moment to catch a breath at that specific choice of words, and he explains, “as much corny as that may sound.”

[Soshi Kioku]

His answers bring a small smile to her lips, although she seems uncertain.

Looking at the horizon... he'll see not much, really. The usual waves, boats and beachgoers. Maybe what she was looking at wasn't there there?

"An ex-mother... well, I suppose that's not something people say, eh?" The small smile seems to get more wistful whenever the word passes through her lips. Mother.

"Well, you're right, of course.", she says. "Life is change, that's very much true." A slight chuckle. "Suppose I should know that, as a biologist, ne?"

A look at the drakes, then at the table again. "Still... in my experience it's not always for the best. And... maybe we don't control it as much as we'd like to?"

She shakes her head again. "Well, but I'm rambling. Your work for the KHII - it must be pretty important then, ne? Important new releases for the winter?", she asks - and it could or could not be clear that she's purposefully switching the topic.

[Kaiu Setsu]

"I guess the exciting part is actually not to have control of the outcomes." Setsu mentions as he finishes his juice, still looking at the horizon.

When Kioku mentions work, his attention snatches back at her, "I am proud to say it is a very important job, yes. All the major assembly lines going to the defense of allied Clans and the Empire sort of pass through here. Nothing new that I could actually share, as much as I would. The Yasuki Marketing Squad would nail me into the Grove if I spill out any NDA info."

[Soshi Kioku]

She seems thoughtful for a while, but finally nods. "I suppose you're right ", she says - with a serious face. It seems clear at least some changes aren't, or weren't, easy for her.

To his somewhat slippery answer on the company's work, she answers with a slight grin. "Oh, I wasn't aware the Crab followed such traditions as well! I suppose our clans' proximity has had a good influence then.

But I understand, of course. My question was more on official releases, in fact. With the winter court season in place, I thought Kaiu-san might be occupied with disclosing ans drawing interest to business opportunities."

[Kaiu Setsu]

“I hope I had. So far, all is a well kept secret.” He smirks, “Which the Scorpion plays fair with us and maintains it so.”

“About playing fair, I should let you play with your pets. They can keep the ball. I am sure they’ll find a better use for it than me. I can deal with the vendor as I return.”

The Cran provides a seated bow, mentioning he would leave.

/exit if not stopped

[Soshi Kioku]

“I hope I had. So far, all is a well kept secret.” He smirks, “Which the Scorpion plays fair with us and maintains it so.”

“About playing fair, I should let you play with your pets. They can keep the ball. I am sure they’ll find a better use for it than me. I can deal with the vendor as I return.”

The Cran provides a seated bow, mentioning he would leave.

/exit if not stopped

"Proximity with the Crab has benefited both our clans a lot, ne, Kaiu-sama. We certainly hope the current collaboration is maintained, indeed", she answers with a smile.

The woman seems a bit surprised, as if not expecting the man to leave the ball behind.

"Oh! Please don't mind us and feel free to carry the ball back, Kaiu-sama", she says - although the critters seem happy to have the ball, going on to play with it. Maybe due to hearing the word spoken? That would be smart of them...

"Thanks for the smoothie, Kaiu-sama. If you stop by the Spine Drake Centre at the Sanctuary and want to see some of our work, be free to ask for me.

She soon bows as well, though. "Carry the fortunes!"

(/scene?)

[Kaiu Setsu]

“I will. Thanks for inviting!” He opens a genuine smile and disregards comments about the ball now in the possession of the dragonlings.

/scene!
Ty